Pacheco sent packing by Mallorca

RCD Mallorca today sacked Jaime Pacheco after just three months in charge of the Primera División club.

One-year contract
The 45-year-old Portuguese coach was drafted in to replace Gregorio Manzano in July. He was given a one-year contract following a successful stint in his home country with Boavista FC.

Poor start
Pacheco led Boavista to their first league championship in 20001, as well as finishing runners-up in 1999 and 2002. However, Mallorca's poor start in the Primera División - they have won just once - means he has been dismissed after five matches.

Image concerns
Mallorca's board of directors decided to take action after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Albacete Balompié. After that match, club president Mateo Alemany said: "The situation is not good, not just for the poor results that we have been having but also the image the team has been projecting."

Possible candidates
Prime candidates to take over the reins at Son Moix are former Deportivo Alavés coach José Manuel Esnal 'Mané' and Luis Aragonés, who has already had one spell in charge of the club. "The team needs to be playing at a higher level than we've seen so far," said Alemany. "We're now starting negotiations to bring in the best coach possible for Mallorca."

European campaign
Despite their disappointing domestic form, the Spanish Cup holders are well-placed to reach the UEFA Cup second round after a 2-1 first-leg victory in Cyprus against APOEL FC.